August 28, 2007	Tuesday	Sha’aban 14, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Aug 27: Several officials are in the run for the slot of Pakistan’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to WTO, as the post is going to be vacant by the end of this month, it is learnt.

The foreign office, the commerce ministry and the customs department are manoeuvring to get their candidates selected for the post. The post was created in 2002. Earlier, the foreign office ambassadors used to represent Pakistan at the WTO.

A summary has also been moved to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat proposing names of Qasim Niaz of DMG group in BPS-20, and Customs group’s Shahid Bashir (BPS 20), and Shahid Ahmed (BPS-21).

Mr Niaz is currently posted as personal secretary to the prime minister’s principal secretary while Shahid Bashir is a joint secretary in the commerce ministry and Shahid Ahmed is member customs tribunal in Karachi.

Dr Manzoor Ahmed of the custom group was appointed first Ambassador to the WTO and he represented Pakistan in two WTO ministerial meetings and other related sessions. He was given a six-month extension, which has already expired.

Earlier, the commerce ministry was considering moving a summary to the prime minister for another extension of one year for Dr Manzoor as the Doha Round is likely to enter a crucial stage next month, said a source.